Episodes

  • #38: H2Rescue: Providing Power, Water and World Records

    #38: H2Rescue: Providing Power, Water and World Records
    Dec 23 2025
    Roughly the distance from New York to Miami – or 1,806 miles. That’s how far a vehicle, developed in part by ERDC, drove on one tank of hydrogen fuel to not only set a mark honored by the Guinness Book of World Records, but also to advance new and existing hydrogen-powered technologies. In this episode, we discuss the development, testing and performance of the H2Rescue vehicle with Nick Josefik, an industrial engineer at ERDC’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory. We also talk about the impact it can have in supporting emergency response efforts to natural and man-made disasters. Created to address many of the logistical challenges involved in any response, the H2Rescue vehicle – a 33,000-pound power plant on wheels – went from idea to reality in a few short years, becoming a world-class example of what power-providing emergency systems – powered by hydrogen – can deliver. Topics include the idea and mission behind the development of the H2Rescue Vehicle (02:39), details on the amount of power the vehicle can generate (04:37) and how this vehicle’s capabilities best fit in an emergency response scenario (05:59). We also discuss why hydrogen was the fuel of choice in the vehicle’s development (07:55); the federal, military and industry partners who worked together on the vehicle (11:21); and the behind-the-scenes details on how the team earned Guiness Book of World Records recognition (18:08). Watch the video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/38-h2-rescue-vehicle_video. For additional information, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/38-h2-rescue-vehicle_resources.
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • #37: A Fresh (water) Runway: ERDC’s ice and snow expertise enables historic LC-130 landing

    #37: A Fresh (water) Runway: ERDC’s ice and snow expertise enables historic LC-130 landing
    Dec 16 2025
    When the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing needed to find a suitable location to land its massive LC-130 Hercules cargo plane during an Arctic exercise in March 2025, it turned to ERDC for help. Although the nearby sea ice was not thick enough to support the maneuver, ERDC devised a plan to land the plane on a nearby freshwater lake, a novel approach that required less ice. Leaning into ERDC’s deep expertise in developing ice and snow runways, the 109th completed the landing at Parsons Lake in Canda’s Northwest Territories – the first time the U.S. military has landed an LC-130 on a frozen freshwater surface. We discuss this feat with T.J. Melendy, a research civil engineer at ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Topics include Melendy’s experience with ice and snow runways (5:02), how the idea to land on a freshwater lake originated (11:44) and the differences between freshwater ice and saltwater ice (3:53). We also discussed the process of testing the potential freshwater ice landing (13:30), why this achievement was significant for the U.S. military (24:20) and what is next for this effort (27:01). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/37-lc130-landing_video. For additional information, including photos from the landing, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/37-lc130-landing_resources.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • #36: SandHound: Applying robotics to advance critical coastline survey capabilities

    #36: SandHound: Applying robotics to advance critical coastline survey capabilities
    Dec 9 2025
    For several sweltering weeks along the North Carolina coastline, an ERDC team pushed a quadruped robot with a suite of advanced sensors to its limit to test its ability to conduct critical beach landscape surveys. The research – known as the SandHound Project – is working to validate whether the quadruped can operate at all levels of the coastal landscape and collect critical data that one day can support emergency response and military landing operations. We visit with Jacob Stasiewicz, a master’s student at the University of Delaware who has worked with ERDC for the past two years, to discuss the technology, its capabilities and its future impact on advancing coastal engineering and sciences. Topics discussed include the genesis behind the SandHound Project and early lessons learned (5:22); the experience of testing this robot platform on a busy, public beach (7:18); and the future of this type of system for use across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and emergency management operations (10:14). We also discussed the types of sensors that were deployed during testing and their capabilities (12:07), the capabilities and the expertise of ERDC’s Field Research Facility where the testing was conducted (15:54), and the future of robotic platforms in further supporting and advancing costal engineering and sciences (22:11). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/36-sandhound_video. For additional resources about the SandHound Project, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/36-sandhound_resources.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • #35: Tech Transfer: Adding the reach to research through commercialization

    #35: Tech Transfer: Adding the reach to research through commercialization
    Dec 2 2025
    ERDCWERX and ERDC’s Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT) are accelerating innovation for the Warfighter and the nation. Through its collaboration with ERDCWERX, ERDC is expanding the Army’s ability to quickly adopt, adapt and deliver technologies that enhance readiness, strengthen protection, and provide dual-use solutions for both military and civilian applications. We explore how ERDC accelerates innovation from the lab to the marketplace with Paul Sumrall, Director of ERDCWERX, and Tisa Webb, Chief for Technology, Knowledge and Outreach with ERDC’s ORTT. From simplifying the front door for business to developing dual-use technologies that protect both warfighters and communities, we discuss how ERDC turns breakthrough science into real-world solutions. Topics discussed include: • What “technology transition” means at ERDC and how ERDCWERX and Technology Transfer team up to make it happen (0:59) • How ERDCWERX serves as the “front door for business” (3:38) • ERDC Tech Challenges—what they are, who should apply, and the outcomes they’ve produced for industry (6:52) • The importance of dual-use technologies and examples with both defense and civilian applications (14:01) • How ERDC and ERDCWERX partner to fill capability gaps (17:17) • How ERDC is lowering barriers and increasing opportunities for businesses nationwide (18:59) Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/35-tech-transfer_video. You can also see additional information about ERDCWERX and ERDC’s technology transfer efforts at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/35-tech-transfer_resources. Learn more about ERDCWERX at ERDCWERX.org. For inquiries about ERDC’s technology transfer, contact ERDCinfo@usace.army.mil.
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • #34: Underwater ROV: Making aquatic infrastructure inspection safer, cost-effective

    #34: Underwater ROV: Making aquatic infrastructure inspection safer, cost-effective
    Nov 25 2025
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manages hundreds of locks and dams, which are critical components of a complex navigation system that is central to our nation’s economy and security. Inspecting this aging aquatic infrastructure often requires costly and dangerous processes, such as deploying divers or dewatering structures, halting the flow of goods and materials. To help USACE districts perform these inspections in a safer and more cost-effective manner, and with higher quality, ERDC has been testing the use of an underwater remotely operated vehicle – or ROV. We visit with Shea Hammond, a wildlife biologist with ERDC’s Environmental Laboratory who leads a team taking commercially available technology and pushing it – and related science – to its limits, validating and developing systematic and best practices. Topics include how the ROV’s capabilities assist USACE engineers (:56), the types and scale of infrastructure components the ROV is being used to inspect (3:39), how deploying an ROV can improve cost and safety of infrastructure inspection (5:18), and how ERDC “stumbled upon” using the ROV in civil works missions (6:34). We also discuss how the ROV is supporting USACE dive teams (9:14) and how ERDC fosters programs that benefit both military engineering and civil works missions (20:04). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/34-underwater-rov_video. For additional resources about ERDC’s underwater ROV research, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/34-underwater-rov_resources. For inquiries about the underwater ROV program, email ERDCinfo@usace.army.mil. For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • #33: PODS and RAIL: Versatile ramp system aids expedient deployment of military equipment

    #33: PODS and RAIL: Versatile ramp system aids expedient deployment of military equipment
    Nov 18 2025
    ERDC and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) collaborated in 2016 to develop a transportable ramp system that could be used to rapidly restore a damaged pier. The components from the Pier Over-Decking System (PODS) were later redeveloped into the Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) system, which can be used to load/unload armored vehicles from a train without the need for a fixed railyard facility. That system has since been repurposed for new uses, such as enabling gap crossings as a vehicle-launched bridge and serving as a foundation for Arctic infrastructure. We talk about the versatile PODS and RAIL system with ERDC’s Justin Strickler and August Johnson and GVSC’s Ashley Genna. Strickler, ERDC’s lead technical director for the Military Engineering Research and Development Area, and Johnson, a research mechanical engineer, are both based at ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory. Genna is a project engineer with the bridging team at GVSC. Topics discussed include how the system began and how it has evolved (1:52), how its versatility is meeting a need for the Warfighter (5:01) and the collaboration between ERDC and GVSC (9:39). We also talked about the system’s use as a vehicle-launched bridge (24:13) and a foundation for Arctic infrastructure (16:30), as well as its recent deployment to the United States Indo-Pacific Command (21:28). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/33-pods-and-rail_video. You can also see additional resources about the system, including photos, at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/33-pods-and-rail_resources. For inquiries about the PODS/RAIL system, email ERDCinfo@usace.army.mil. For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Announcing a new format

    Announcing a new format
    Sep 23 2025
    We would like to announce some exciting changes that are coming soon to the Power of ERDC podcast. Beginning in October, we will relaunch the Power of ERDC podcast as a combined video and audio product that will be available each week. Episodes will continue to feature in-depth interviews with ERDC researchers about the many ways they are solving the toughest challenges facing the nation and the Warfighter, with Tim Reeves, Shelley Tingle and Chris Kieffer rotating as hosts. Audio podcasts will continue to be available in all major podcast players, and you can also watch video of the interviews on ERDC’s LinkedIn page or at https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org. Look for new episodes each Tuesday at 10 a.m. Central, beginning Oct. 7.
    Show More Show Less
    2 mins
  • #32: Muddy: A mapping robot for extreme environments

    #32: Muddy: A mapping robot for extreme environments
    Apr 8 2025
    A low-cost unmanned ground vehicle capable of producing 3D maps, the Muddy robot has solved a variety of mapping challenges since 2017. Developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Muddy is often used to test more expansive robotic platforms and to enable other projects. Its combination of autonomous navigation, affordability and flexibility makes it an ideal system to validate new technologies and to operate in dangerous, extreme or difficult to access environments – giving Warfighters superior situational awareness of the battlespace and a platform that can support missions across any domain. We discuss Muddy with Dr. Garry Glaspell, a research chemist at ERDC’s Geospatial Research Laboratory who has worked with the robot since its first days. We talk about Muddy’s creation and maturation (4:06), its capabilities (12:42) and the programs it has supported (15:04). We also discuss how Muddy got its name (24:52), the lessons learned from various field tests (33:14) and what modifications are on the wish list (36:29). For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins